Lantana camara an exotic plant with pretty flowers is one of the top 10 most invasive plant species in the world. The species originally belonged to the stretch between Mexico and Brazil, but today, it has spread across the world and has its grip on more than 60 countries, diligently carving its way to degrade its forests. Lantana was brought to India by the British as an Ornament plant. Since then, It has taken over our forests and has completely dominated our indigenous species of plants. Today, Lantana has spread to more than 50% of India's forest land and occupies 40 per cent of India’s tiger range alone. The Invasive shrub has caused a great loss to not only the country's biodiversity but the farming income as well. Most of the barren lands have been taken over by the shrub and are deemed unfit for any cultivation.
But a small district in the Indian state of Madhya Pradesh is showing the way by irradicating Lantana and reclaiming their land from this invasive shrub. This is their story.
14 янв 2024
